Operatives of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group and intelligence units have arrested three suspects in the kidnapping and killing of former Abuyog, Leyte vice mayor James Bohol and his son.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the arrests were made following follow-up operations after the victims’ bodies were found along a ravine in Barangay Imelda, Silago, Southern Leyte, days after they were reported missing on June 27.
“We in the PNP extend our deepest condolences to the family of the former vice mayor. Our personnel on the ground were with the family, hoping for a positive outcome during the conduct of operations to locate them,” said PGEN Nartatez.
“We assured the family of justice in this case, and today, we delivered by arresting three people tagged as responsible in this case. We are investigating to determine the motive and identify and arrest all those responsible,” he stressed.
Nartatez said the operation was in line with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla to maintain peace and order by upholding the rule of law.
Bohol had served as municipal councilor and vice mayor of Abuyog from 2022 until his unsuccessful reelection bid in 2025. He and his son were engaged in private business.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for three unidentified suspects and are verifying reports that the suspected getaway vehicle was later seen in a housing village in Basey, Samar.
After the bodies were recovered, Anti-Kidnapping Group operatives monitored that the three suspects had left their homes in Samar and traveled to Metro Manila, apparently to hide.
Through backtracking efforts by AKG personnel and PNP intelligence agents, the three were later located in Pasay City.
Relatives of the suspects appealed to the PNP and asked to negotiate their surrender. The three later yielded to AKG operatives and intelligence agents of the Police Regional Office 8.
Nartatez lauded the PNP personnel involved in the operation for aggressively pursuing the case, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
He said the operation is not yet over as investigators have yet to establish the motive, which could lead police to other possible perpetrators.